Photouncaging of Carboxylic Acids from Cyanine Dyes with Near‐Infrared Light**

Near-infrared light (NIR; 650–900 nm) offers unparalleled advantages as a biocompatible stimulus. The development of photocages that operate in this region represents fundamental challenge due to the low energy excitation light. Herein, we repurpose cyanine dyes into are available on multigram scale three steps and efficiently release carboxylic acids aqueous media upon irradiation with NIR up 820 nm. photouncaging process is examined using several techniques, providing evidence it proceeds via photooxidative pathway. We demonstrate practical utility live HeLa cells by delivery acid cargo, was otherwise not uptaken its free form. In combination modularity scaffold, realization these accessible will fully unleash potential emerging field NIR-photoactivation facilitate widespread adoption outside photochemistry community.